1850-D $2.50 PCGS MS60 CAC

While not as widely regarded as its 1851-D and 1852-D quarter eagle counterparts, the 1850-D is a scarce issue in its own right, especially in higher grades. When I wrote the first edition of my Dahlonega book, I was aware of just one or two Uncirculated coins. Through the miracles of gradeflation, a few new Uncirculated coins have been "discovered" but I doubt if more than three to five Mint State coins are known with none finer than MS62. Although this coin is "only" an MS60, it has phenomenal eye appeal for the issue with lovely deep even honey-gold and greenish colors seen on the obverse and reverse. The strike is far above average for the issue with just minor weakness at the centers and, for the grade, there is less friction than one might expect. The best 1850-D quarter eagle that I am aware of is a PCGS MS62 that is ex Heritage 3/11: 4637 where it brought $27,600. Every other properly graded Uncirculated example of this date is off the market in a tightly-held collection, making this lovely example an important opportunity for the advanced Dahlonega gold collector.